Can a lake have an undertow?

You may have heard about the rip tide or undertow before. These are terms that people commonly use to describe dangerous currents. However, since there are no tides in the Great Lakes (needed to form a rip tide) and currents don't pull a person down under the water (undertow), they are a bit inaccurate.



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Undertow is a natural and universal feature for almost any large body of water; it is a return flow compensating for the onshore-directed average transport of water by the waves in the zone above the wave troughs.

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Underwater currents can form in lakes, rivers and oceans, and there are many reasons why they happen.

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Lakes can be affected by pollution from various sources such as agricultural runoff, urban development, and recreational activities. High levels of bacteria, harmful algae blooms, and pollutants in the water can pose health risks to swimmers.

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Rivers and streams can appear calm on the surface but there may be: Strong undercurrents that can pull under even a strong and experienced swimmer.

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Know before you go Before you head out, check online to find out if the swim area is currently monitored, is under advisory, or has been closed for health or safety reasons. This is especially important after a heavy rain.

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Due to the nature of the swim, we can get currents in some parts of the swim course and reserve the right to shorten the distance or change the route of the planned swim, if deemed necessary for safety. All non wetsuit swimmers must use a tow float.

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Due to the nature of the swim, we can get currents in some parts of the swim course and reserve the right to shorten the distance or change the route of the planned swim, if deemed necessary for safety. All non wetsuit swimmers must use a tow float.

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Undertows happen when friction at the river's bottom causes currents to slow down. At the water's surface, the current is still moving fast, and the water turns into a corkscrew pattern at the junction of the two currents. The water's swirling motion is severe in a large river like the Mississippi.

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Waves on lakes are mostly the result of wind and are called “wind-driven” or “surface” waves. Sure, we suppose a random earthquake could trigger a whitecap or a lake could be big enough for the moon's gravity to pull a little water back and forth but, almost always, the waves you see on lakes are being created by wind.

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